Attributed to Antonio Susini (active 1572-1624) After a model by Giambologna (1527-1608) Italian, Florence, first quarter 17th century

Emil Weinberger, Vienna, until 1929;
his sale, C.J. Wawra, Glückselig, and Richard Leitner Vienna, 22-24 October 1929, lot 181;
with Daniel Katz Ltd, London, July 2003

Overall the condition of the bronze is good, with wear and some dirt to the surface consistent with age. The lacquer patina has rubbed in most areas, leaving contrasting remnants of dark patina at the lower points. There is minor flaking to the lacquer patina, notably at the proper right side of the chest. There are a few areas of nicks and scratches, including to the buttocks, the abdomen, and the proper left arm. The ebonised wood base is in good condition, with a few minor chips to the corners.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Morgante (c. 1535-after 1594) was the celebrated court dwarf of Cosimo I de'Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was portrayed numerous times by the most important artists surrounding the Medici court including Agnolo Bronzino in his double sided portrait (in which Morgante is portrayed both bearded and beardless) in the Uffizi; Valerio Cioli in a large-scale sculpture of Morgante astride a turtle in the Boboli gardens (dating to the 1560's); and in small scale bronze statuettes by Giambologna, including the present model and Morgante on a dragon in the Bargello (cast by 5 Deccember 1582).

Anthony Radcliffe has suggested that the present model was created by Giambologna in the 1580's and can be divided into two variants: the first (Type A) with cornetto and walking stick (as in the present model), and the second (Type B) where Morgante appears as Bacchus holding a wine cup. Radcliffe argues that bronzes of the former type are generally of finer quality. Discussing a cast with wine cup in the Quentin Collection, Leithe-Jasper and Wengraf reversed the types and argued that the Bacchic variant was the earlier.

The present cast is one of the finest to have been offered on the market in recent years, and compares very closely with a cast by Antonio Susini in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 65-1865).

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Avery and A. Radcliffe, Giambologna 1529-1608: Sculptor to the Medici, exh. cat. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1978, nos. 50-5, pp. 101-105; M. Leithe-Jasper and P. Wengraf, European Bronzes from the Quentin Collection, exh. cat. The Frick Collection, New York, 2004, no. 14, pp. 162-165; B. Paolozzi Strozzi and D. Zikos, Giambologna gli dei, gli eroi, exh. cat. Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, 2006, p. 352, no. 5